I’ve been thinking a lot about materialism, wealth and idolatry lately. I guess it’s the time of year that prompts me. On Wednesday nights I have been holding “round table style” discussions. We have been using the Nooma videos as a jumping off point (topic for another day: I’m getting a little concerned over where Rob Bell’s theology seems to be going). We watched the video entitled “Rich” this week. It’s really good. I’ll put a youtube clip of it at the end of this post.
The more I think about the sin of idolatry and the more I study it in the Bible the more convinced I am that this is the benchmark issue of our time. This is the issue that will either send the Church deeper into impotency or, if overcome, drag it from the shadows as a culture-changing, kingdom-advancing influence. It’s so easy to put other things in the position of preiminence in our lives. We are created to worship and so often we find ourselves worshipping created things instead of the Creator.
No wonder Americans struggle so terribly with depression and anxiety. We are constantly being told that we don’t have enough money and the stuff that goes with it. If we can get enough stuff then we will be happy (or at least happier). Then we achieve that next level of stuff-collecting only to find disappointment.
Ever get the post-Christmas blues? You know how it is. The day after Christmas when all the presents have been opened, toys played with, batteries run down, family gone back home and you find yourself sitting on the couch watching a rerun of Oprah giving away make-up kits to crying single mothers. Your life is no different than it was on Christmas Eve. The only change is that you now have more stuff and a lingering feeling of disappointment.
Could we do something different this year? Could we destroy our false idols and put Christ in His place of Glory in our lives? Could we remember that we really are rich and blessed? Could we fight against the steady barrage of marketed lies this Christmas season that tell us that the answer to life’s biggest questions can be found in an iPod, an iPhone, and a gift certificate to Starbucks?
Nooma – “Rich” (a partial clip)
[tags]nooma, rich, christmas, jesus, materialism, idolatry, worship, youtube, Rob Bell[/tags]
Ben,
I won’t trouble you again; however, this is just some food for your – “topic for another day: I’m getting a little concerned over where Rob Bell’s theology seems to be going” – sadly, it’s already here:
Rob Bell Says “All-ee In Free…Almostâ€
And here:
*Update* Rob Bell Agrees with New Age Guru Marianne Williamson
i was under the impression that Bell’s theology has been going “there” for quite some time now.
When i read velvet elvis, it really spoke to me, but at the same time, it also raised some read flags.
then i checked out many of the references that he gives in the biliography for that book and more red flags were raised.
Interesting links, Ken. I’d like to see Rob respond to these accusations directly some time. Has he done so anywhere that can be accessed?
Looks like I need to get a copy of Velvet Elvis.
Though, I’m still more angry at Santa. Maybe after I read Velvet Elvis I can be mad at Santa, Rob Bell, and Elvis. ;-)
BTW – so far the videos I’ve previewed have avoided anything controversial with a few exceptions. There are a couple videos I skipped for minor doctrinal reasons (like his perspective on tithing). Though nothing along the lines of heresy. I haven’t watched them all yet. Maybe one of these days I’ll review them here…
We haven’t celebrated Christmas (meaning presents, tree, Santa, etc.) for the past 4 years. And can you believe it, we still survive.
I think the problem is that Americans have the desire and intention to not be materialistic, but it’s such an uphill battle to actually break free from it that we create so many excuses to remain operating under the kingdom of this world.
Everybody says Christmas isn’t about the stuff, but take the stuff away and it reveals where our hearts really are. When we decided to not do Christmas the first few years everybody threw a fit and got upset. If Christmas wasn’t about the gifts and such, then why the problem?
We say life is more than money, and that those things really don’t matter, but very few actually live like it. We honor it with our mouths, but our hearts are far from it.
Your heart is where your treasure is. Test yourself. Start taking away some of these materialistic tendencies and see how your heart responds.
It’s one thing to be “willing” to give it all for Jesus…it’s a whole other thing to actually go through the process where things are departing out of your life. Jesus never said, “Be willing to forsake everything and follow me.”, He just said to do it.
Anyway, enough rambling.
Paul
P.S. Actually, not doing Christmas has given me many more opportunities to share the Gospel then having a plastic baby Jesus out on my front lawn ;-). It makes everybody’s ears perk up.
I always find it interesting when I read in the Bible all the different times God’s people were taken captive, that the common denominator was idolatry. God stressed over and over that if they worshiped false gods He would allow them to be taken captive. He was always faithful to keep that promise(still is)! His people would turn from Him, worship false gods, and then be taken captive by surrounding nations. Today we turn from Him, worship ourselves, and we get ensnared in our own web of misery.
I think idolatry is really hard to get free from because we naturally love to put ourselves first! God has told us in His Word that He will not share His glory with another, and I know that He means it, so I’ve been asking Him to help me be passionate about His glory. Just absolutely on fire, sold out, insanely zealous for His name and renown. It’s the only way I can figure to be free from idolatry – to ask Him to do that kind of a deep work in me.
Jessica, I really think that you hit the nail on the head here. It is our natural tendency to think of ourselves first and our American culture further encourages us to pursue personal fulfillment and comfort. The thing is that too many times we spend more time wrapped up in this then in pursuing God’s glory and making His glory known. Great point…Thanks!
wow, ken silva listing his own site as a source for truth. there’s irony.
Ben,
“I’d like to see Rob respond to these accusations directly some time. Has he done so anywhere that can be accessed?”
Me too. And no, he hasn’t. He apparently giggles at criticism.
And lew,
“wow, ken silva listing his own site as a source for truth. there’s irony.” Little ad hominem? Some reason I shouldn’t?
I’ve been studying Bell from his own materials and by interviewing people who know him for three years. I see alot more than “red flags”. He is apostatizing.
It took me a sec to parse the word “apostatizing”. Thought I’d share a definition.
That’s a good working definition. And where Bell begins his current drift into apostasy can be traced from here:
ROB BELL IN A NUTSHELL: THE BIBLE
And that wrong view of Holy Scripture itself can be traced from here:
ROB BELL AND KARL BARTH
An acquaintance of mine has written a well researched critque of Velvet Elvis, which teaching also go along with the Nooma videos. You can access the document from my webiste. http://www.alabamaevangelism.blogspot.com
mark Sohmer, the writer, researchs and teaches on cults, ans well as preaches the true gospel to the lost.